If you plan to do anything other than shared classes with your videoconferencing unit, plan to have your room setup as flexible as possible. Here are some options you may want to consider:

The Berrien RESA Instructional Technology Consultant (Janine Lim) responsible for distance learning sends out periodic featured lists of programs and special events.

Forward those emails on the the appropriate groups (i.e. all staff, elementary staff, science staff, high school social studies, etc.) One way to facilitate this is to maintain an email listing of all the building staff.

Encourage teachers to take advantage of mini-grants that may be available in your area.

Encourage teachers to bookmark the REMC11 Distance Learning page and/or the TWICE page and view those for possible distance learning activities as they are planning instruction.

Encourage administrators and teachers to participate in demonstrations. Encourage administrators to attend videoconferences. Work with principals to arrange for staff meeting demos. They have to SEE it to really get inspired and understand the possibilities.

In a couple of our districts, the media specialist is the distance learning advocate and finds programs for teachers, knowing their content area and special units.

Other Communication: Ren Baldwin, St. Joseph High School, says, "I also communicate with all teachers periodically about the fact that there are a lot of opportunities beyond the ones that Janine sends to us. I try to get them to review the "blue sheet" that is also on the REMC DL web site and to explore all of the great things that are there. I also encourage the teachers to make contact with other teachers (people they take classes with, meet at conferences, etc) and maybe they can collaborate on their own "custom" event. It really does take a LOT of communication, but it is well worth the effort."

If a teacher sees something they are interested in, they first go to their building principal to get approval. If they have received a mini grant the building is still responsible for the remainder of the cost.

When the teacher receives approval, they register online for the program.

After scheduling is complete, Janine then sends a confirmation e-mail to the teacher, principal, and the distance learning contacts.

Some distance learning coordinators then send a "We're Ready" e-mail to the teacher and principal. It include information such as the following:

On the day of the connection, some building level distance learning coordinators do a brief presentation to class about what to expect, explain the equipment, etc. (Return classes don't need this.) This helps the students focus on the learning instead of the technology. Include information on how to speak and act, what to expect, that the picture may occasionally freeze, etc. Coach the teachers to respond quickly when they need to choose kids to answer. Make sure the students are on camera. Have a minimum number of presets ready. Show the whole room for most of the conference so the presenters can see the whole audience reaction.